The Kármán Line: Or about 60 miles up is the usual point accepted by NASA and the U.S. Military as the division between atmosphere and space. Of course, there will be debate over this 'line' by other countries.

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re: What are those flashes coming from the separated payload package from the balloon?

Posted by Kristoph on 2/5/23 at 1:04 pm to ChineseBandit58

New member. I spent 20 years in the military (U.S. Army). A portion of my duties included the identification & collection of intelligence regarding 'unknowns' and first seen ordnance, including foreign weapon systems.

1. Most likely sunlight reflecting off of the solar panel array that is the usual power source.

2. Given the purported use of the balloon, it is entirely feasible that a self-destruct sequence could have been initiated. However, an explosively actuated self-destruct mechanism would only serve to bolster U.S. justification in shooting the craft down. Weather balloons do not have an explosive self-destruct system because there is no need for said system/device.

3. I have to doubt any strafing by the interceptors. This would undoubtedly damage the signal and/or image capturing devices that would have been employed as part of the payload package. The Navy will have enough of an arduous task attempting to retrieve what may remains of the package. 60K feet (18K+ meters) is over 11 miles (18+km) up! The package would have built up a significant descent velocity before hitting the water.

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